UPDATE @ 5pm: Fire crews managed to ventilate the building effectively and prevent the smoke from entering the art galleries.
UPDATE @ 4.20pm: The fire is thought to have started from a deep fat fryer and smoke affected all four floors, Cornwall fire chief has confirmed.
UPDATE @ 2.18pm: The fire in the art gallery has been extinguished.
Fire crews have searched the building and are currently ventilating the building to clear smoke. It is believed the fire caused no damage to any art work.
A spokesman for Tate St Ives said the gallery is closed for the rest of the day but it will open tomorrow, Tuesday at 10am.
ABOUT 300 people had to be evacuated from the Tate Gallery in St Ives following a fire this lunch time.
Ten firefighters from the town's fire station and a crew from Penzance are currently dealing with a kitchen fire at the international modern and contemporary art building.
A fire spokesman said the service received a "number of calls" about the fire at 12.30pm. He added: "When it started everyone would have been asked to leave the building.
"We have no reports of anyone missing."
The one-way system outside the art gallery has been closed by Devon and Cornwall Police.
If you witnessed the fire, have pics or were there please get in touch with Kat at kiivonen@c-dm.co.uk
